Title: Noninvolvement
Directed by: Bruce Bilson
Written by: Chris Hayward, Danny Arnold, and Reinhold Weege (story), Reinhold Weege (teleplay)
Air Date: November 18, 1976
Previous: The Recluse
Next: Power Failure
Guest Starring: June Gable, Alex Henteloff, Ron Feinberg, Oliver Clark, Mike Kellin
"Noninvolvement" is the eighth episode of the third season of Barney Miller.
Det. Wojciehowicz hauls in one Al Mitchell for a purse snatching on the subway. The thing is, however, that Mitchell didn't do it. Wojo arrested Mr. Mitchell because he did nothing to stop the purse snatcher. Wojo wants to charge him with "noninvolvement", but Barney points out that while there is a city law requiring civilians to assist police officers in the performance of their duties, the cops have to clearly identify themselves. Wojo's command of "Grab him!" doesn't constitute a clear identification, so Barney cuts Mr. Mitchell loose. Things get worse for Wojo when Mr. Mitchell starts talking about a lawsuit for false arrest, and sleazy lawyer Arnold Ripner offers his services.
Meanwhile, a new addition to the 12th, Detective Maria Battista (June Gable), brings in a Mr. Yusick for indecent exposure. The apologetic Mr. Yusick explains that he has a compulsion and is in a support group. He calls in his lawyer, Mr. Farber, who's in the same support group. In personal news, Fish, whose mandatory retirement from the NYPD is looming, is stressed out about the police pension fund.
Tropes:
- As You Know: Barney asks Yemana where "that new third grade, Battista" is, to explain to the audience that there's a new detective.
- Bad to the Last Drop: The lady who lost her purse says that Yemana's coffee "tastes like pencils". Yemana says that it's the cup, which apparently had been used to hold pencils.
- Bystander Syndrome: Wojo arrests a man for failing to help him catch a purse snatcher.
- The McCoy: Sometimes Wojo would let his emotions get the better of him. In this instance he makes what is clearly a bogus arrest because he's upset at a man for not helping him catch a purse snatcher.
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Battista is a high-spirited female officer who is trying to prove herself with a tendency to burst into angry Spanish rants when excited—in other words, something of a Composite Character of Chano and Wentworth. She might have been too similar, as the character only appeared once more.
- Title Drop: Wojo wants to charge Mr. Mitchell with "noninvolvement". Unfortunately, as Barney explains, Wojo didn't identify himself as a cop so they can't make the arrest stick.
- Tropaholics Anonymous: Mr. Mitchell and his attorney Mr. Farber are both members of a support group for flashers who are trying to avoid the temptation to do it again.
